Cardinal Sodano says that he will stop being Secretary State when the pope wants

Vatican City, Jun 20, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- The Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, confronted speculation by the press about his possible departure and affirmed that he will be in his position as long as, “the Pope wants.”

Several news sources have recently said that Cardinal Sodano will be leaving his post and will be replaced by Cardinal Tarscisio Bertone, Archbishop of Genova. Some papers have gone as far as claiming that Pope Benedict XVI has already signed the appointment.

"I see you have very noisy colleagues who are always looking for new events,” Cardinal Sodano told Italian newspaper L'Eco di Bergamo. “Saint Paul used to speak in his time about some Christians who had ‘itching ears' that always desire to seek new sensations. Maybe they don't know the way we work (in the Vatican): with order and serenity.”

The cardinal also said that "years pass for everybody. I look forward to handing-off my dicastery when the Pope wants". He said decisions in the Holy See are never rushed. "I’ve met four cardinals who have been State Secretary in my 45 years of service to the Vatican. They were all an example of calm work in order to serve the Pope well. Each of us passes-away and the Church goes on."